For Immediate Release

July 20, 2011

Contact:
Mary Troupe
Executive Director
MS Coalition for Citizens with Disabilities
601-941-9388
mary@msccd.org

Statement by Mississippi Coalition for Citizens with Disabilities Executive Director Mary Troupe on the House Vote on the Cut, Cap and Balance Act

The Cut, Cap and Balance Act represents a direct assault on Medicare and Medicaid. It would be nearly impossible to meet the spending caps set by the bill without requiring huge cuts to the two programs, which are essential to the well-being of millions of older Americans and people with disabilities. In fact, analysis by the Medicare/Medicaid Rights Center shows that cuts to these programs would be even deeper than those proposed in the House budget, which would convert Medicare into a voucher system-doubling Medicare beneficiaries’ out-of-pocket costs-and convert Medicaid funding into block grants.

The Cut, Cap and Balance Act forfeits a balanced approach that includes increased revenues, meaning that the budget will be balanced on the backs of low- and middle-income Americans without sacrifice from the wealthiest among us. The Act, simply put, would end Medicare and Medicaid as millions of Americans have come to know and depend on.

Lastly, the passage of Cut, Cap and Balance Act would cripple Mississippi’s economy and likely bankrupt the state’s health care system – a state with the lowest per capita income in the nation, over 600 thousand individuals with disabilities – including children and an ever growing population of senior citizens.

The MS Coalition for Citizens with Disabilities is a non-partisan non-profit advocacy organization.

Mary Troupe
Executive Director
2 Old River Place, Suite A
Jackson, MS 39202
601.969.0601
1.800.721.7255
Relay 711
Cell 601.941.9388
Fax:601.709.0250